Guidelines for Tipping

Tipping, and especially how much to tip, is awkward.  Some providers expect a tip, others don't... and tips can add up to a significant amount of money.  Some providers include a tip in their contract and then expect - or hope for - an additional tip at the reception. 

First things first.  While tipping is often expected it is never required.  You don't have to tip anyone, especially if you're unhappy with the service you were provided.  Tipping should be a reward for great service, not an expectation for any service.  But if you want to follow convention, here are some basic guidelines for who to tip and how much.

• Officiant - the officiant is not tipped.  You'll pay a fee for the service, but that's it.  Some officiants may even see your offer of a tip as slightly offensive.  If you really want to tip, make a donation to the church instead.
• Reception Venues - normally the manager includes a 15% tip in your contract, which in theory will be divided among the different staff at the venue.  If you want to provide an additional tip, a dollar or two for every guest who attended the reception is a nice amount.
• Caterers - caterers typicallly include a gratuity amount in their contracts as well.  The gratuity covers the wait staff if provided.  Like the reception venue, caterers typically assume a 15% tip.
  
• Wait staff - If wait staff are provided separately, assume 15%.  Normally you can give the tip to the head waiter, wait staff manager, or maitre d'.
• Bartenders - Bartenders are usually tipped a percentage of the total bar bill.  If a gratuity for bartenders is included in your catering contract, an additional 10% is a very nice gesture.  If you plan to tip the bartenders, don't allow guests to tip for individual drinks.  It's common for the bartender to put up a "Please, No Tipping" sign if that's the case.
  
• Limo Drivers - 15 to 20% of the bill is a common tip amount.  If you want to tip extra, that's up to you, but most limo drivers are delighted to receive 20%.
• Bands & DJs - Tips for musicians or DJs are rarely included in a contract.  If you want to tip the band, $25 or $30 per member is a nice gesture.  If you'd like to tip a DJ, 15% of his fee is common.
• Florists - rarely tipped.  You'll simply pay a fee for the flowers and delivery.
• Bakers - rarely tipped.  Same thing; you'll pay a fee for services rendered.
• Photographers - rarely tipped.  We provide a service and a product, and since the delivery of the product doesn't occur until after the wedding, it would be odd for a family member to tip us.  There is no need to tip your photographers; while we can't speak for other photographers, we don't in any way expect or want to be tipped.